National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events -- in cartoon form

Sneak Peek: Spartacus Prepares for the End With War of the Damned

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By Dave Granlund

National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events. Dave has been an editorial cartoonist published in daily newspapers since 1977. Born in Ware, Mass., Granlund began drawing cartoons in grade school and at
...

National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events. Dave has been an editorial cartoonist published in daily newspapers since 1977. Born in Ware, Mass., Granlund began drawing cartoons in grade school and at age 16, he was published on the editorial pages of local weekly newspapers. His eight-year enlistment in the USAF included assignments with SAC HQ and with Headquarters Command, where his duties included work as head illustrator for the Presidential Inaugural Subcommittee and providing briefing charts for the White House and support for Air Force One. As part of NATO in Operation Looking Glass with the Airborne Command Post, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Dave's newspaper honors include awards from UPI, New England Press Association, International Association of Business Communicators, The Associated Press and Massachusetts Press Association. His work has been nominated numerous times for the Pulitzer Prize. His pastimes and interests include history, wood carving, antique tractors and Swedish language studies.

You'd think it would be difficult - if not impossible - to keep fans happy when they know their hero is about to die. But the folks behind Spartacus: War of the Damned don't seem too worried. In fact, as the Starz series prepares to launch its final season on Jan. 25, creator Steven S. DeKnight reminds us that Spartacus' death at the hands of his Roman oppressors is "not unlike the story of the Titanic. It's no big secret the boat will sink. It's how you get there that keeps the audience invested."

In War of the Damned, the former gladiator (Liam McIntyre) leads a massive, growing army of rebel slaves. That soon pits him against the up-and-coming Julius Caesar (Todd Lasance) and Rome's hotshot military commander Marcus Crassus (Simon Merrells). The latter ultimately defeated Spartacus, who - depending on which history you read - either perished in battle or was captured and crucified. Whichever way, "we will leave our fans with quite a gut punch," promises DeKnight. "But the final episode is also rousing and inspiring and really beautiful. I was moved to tears in the editing room - and I wrote the damn thing!"